Motorized watercraft having trim stabilizers

ABSTRACT

There is provided a motorized watercraft having a hull. The hull has an upper portion located substantially above the water line. Thus hull includes a front portion and a rear portion. The upper portion of the hull has a front portion and a rear portion. A drive motor being attached to the rear portion. First and second stabilizers are attached to the front portion of the hull so that the hull may be stabilized during operation by providing a downward force on the front portion of the hull.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION

[0001] The benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/273,132, filed Mar. 2, 2001, is claimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a motorized watercraft. More particularly, it relates to miniature remote control power boats.

[0003] Miniature remote control power boats often achieve speeds up to 70 miles per hour. As illustrated in FIG. 1, when the water 10 is choppy, the front portion 12 of power boat 14 may lift out of the water when the boat 14 is traveling at high speeds. Arrows 16 illustrate the relative motion of the air with respect to the moving power boat 14. This relative movement of the air under the hull of the power boat can cause the boat to flip over.

[0004] As illustrated in FIG. 2, boat owners have tried to solve this problem by making the front portion 12 of power boat 14 heavier by adding weights 18 and 20 to the front portion 12. While this technique will tend to hold the front portion of the boat down, it will reduce the speed of the boat and is not adjustable for the conditions.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide an improved motorized watercraft which has a more stabile front end.

[0006] It is another object of this invention to provide a motorized watercraft having a means for stabilizing the front end which is adjustable, depending on the conditions.

[0007] It is a further object of this invention to provide a remote control motorized watercraft in which the front end may be stabilized from a remote location and in which the stabilization means for the front end may be adjusted from a remote location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In accordance with one form of this invention, there is provided a motorized watercraft having a hull. The hull includes an upper portion located substantially above the water line of the hull. The upper portion includes a front portion and a rear portion. The rear portion has a drive motor attached thereto. First and second stabilizers are provided. The first and second stabilizers are attached to the front portion so that the hull may be stabilized during operation.

[0009] In accordance with another form of this invention, there is provided a motorized watercraft including a hull. The hull has a rear end, a front end and a central portion. The central portion is located substantially halfway between the front end and the rear end. The front end is susceptible to extreme upward movement due to wave action and to the relative movement of air when the watercraft is moving forward. The hull further includes a front portion. The front portion includes the front end and the portion between the front end and the central portion. The hull also includes an upper portion which is located above the water line of the hull. At least one stabilizer is attached to the hull. The stabilizer extends from the front portion and the upper portion, whereby air moving over the stabilizer produces a downward force, wherein the likelihood of extreme upward movement of the front end is reduced.

[0010] Preferably, there are first and second stabilizers with the first stabilizer extending from the right side of the hull and the second stabilizer extending from the left side.

[0011] It is also preferred that the stabilizers are rotatable so as to adjust the amount of downward force on the front portion of the hull.

[0012] It is also preferred that the watercraft be radio control with a radio receiver and a motor for controlling the relative movement of the stabilizers located inside of the hull. The operator of the watercraft can thus utilize a radio transmittal tuned to the radio receiver.

[0013] It is also preferred that each stabilizer has an upwardly extending trailing portion for controlling the air flow over the stabilizer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, together with further objects and advantages thereof may be better understood in reference to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating a prior art remote control miniature water craft which has no stabilizing means for the front end of the watercraft;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of a prior art remote control watercraft utilizing weights to stabilize the front end;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a pictorial view showing the motorized watercraft of the subject invention;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the watercraft of FIG. 3, however, with the motor removed for simplification;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a front pictorial view of the watercraft of FIG. 3 with portions of the front removed;

[0020]FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the apparatus of FIG. 3, however, with the bottom removed and with the pontoons having been removed;

[0021]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of one of the stabilizers of FIG. 5 with the tip removed;

[0022]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one of the stabilizers of FIG. 5 attached to a portion of the hull.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] Referring now more particularly to FIG. 3, there is provided miniature remote controlled watercraft 22 powered by miniature gasoline motor 24. Watercraft 22 includes hull 26. The water line for the hull 26 is illustrated by imaginary line 28 shown in FIG. 4. The use of the word “hull” herein refers both to that portion of the watercraft above and below water line 28, including upright cabin 30. Water line 28 divides the hull 26 into an lower portion 32 and an upper portion 34. Hull 26 also includes a central portion 36 located approximately halfway between the front end 38 and the rear end 40 of hull 26. Hull 26 also includes a front portion, generally indicated by 42, and a rear portion, generally indicated by 44.

[0024] Again, referring to FIG. 3, drive motor 24 is attached to the rear end 40 of hull 26. Antenna 46 receives signals from remote control radio transmittal 48 for controlling the operation of the watercraft.

[0025] The watercraft includes first rotatable stabilizer 50 attached to the right side 52 of upright cabin 30, which is well above water line 28. A second rotatable stabilizer 54 is also attached to the left side of upright cabin 30 well above water line 28. Since both stabilizers 50 and 54 are identical and since they are both attached to hull 26 in the same fashion, only the specific structure of stabilizer 50 will be discussed. Stabilizer 50 includes a leading portion 56 and a trailing portion 58. There is a bend 60 between leading portion 56 and trailing portion 58 so that there is an angle formed between leading portion 56 and trailing portion 58 and thus trailing portion 58 extends upwardly from the top surface of leading portion 56. This angle causes the air flow over the stabilizer to be diverted upwardly and away from the rear portion 44 of watercraft 22 so that turbulence from the stabilizers should not adversely affect the watercraft. Preferably, the angle of bend 60 is approximately 30°.

[0026] As illustrated in by arrows 62 and 64 shown in FIG. 8, stabilizers 50 and 54 are rotatable. When the stabilizer is rotated downwardly in the direction of arrow 64, more downward pressure is placed on front end 42 of watercraft 22 while the watercraft is moving forward. Normally, the stabilizers are rotated in a more downward position when the water is choppy and/or when the watercraft 22 is executing a turn which by its nature results in instability. This downward pressure is caused by air flow over the stabilizer and will result in the front portion 42 of the watercraft to be kept down and in contact with the water.

[0027] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, a rotatable rod 66 is received in front end 42 of the hull. Rotatable rod 66 penetrates through holes 68 and 70 of the hull. The end portions 72 and 74 are attached to the bottoms of stabilizers 50 and 54 by fastener 76, 78, 80 and 82. Bushings 83 and 84 abut against the inside of the hull.

[0028] Silicon tubing 86 and 88 are received about rod 66 and provide for shock loading. A Servo motor 90 is received inside of the hull cavity. Crank 92 is attached to Servo motor drive rod 94. One end of a linkage rod 96 is attached to crank 92 and the other end is attached to rod 66. The Servo motor 90 will control the rotation of rotatable rod 66 and thus the angle of the stabilizers 50 and 54.

[0029] A radio receiver 97 is electrically connected to motor 90. The radio receiver is attached to an antenna 46 through lead 98. The radio receiver is responsive to remote control transmitter 48 so that the angle of stabilizers 50 and 54 may remotely be changed during the operation of the watercraft as the conditions change.

[0030] Leads 100 and 102 are connected to other known devices for controlling other parts of the watercraft, such as the operation of drive motor 24. These devices are known to those skilled in the art and need not be shown to describe this invention. Battery 104 provides power for the receiver 96 and motor 90.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 8, stabilizers 50 and 54 each include tip 65 which is bent upwardly from the surface of the leading portion 50 of the stabilizer, preferably at an angle of 90° for further enhanced stability.

[0032] From the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent that many modifications may be made therein. It should be understood, however, that this embodiment of the invention is an exemplification of the invention only and that the invention is not limited thereto. It is to be understood, therefore, that it is intended in the appended claims to cover all modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A motorized watercraft comprising: a hull; said hull having a rear end, a front end and a central portion; said central portion located substantially halfway between said front end and said rear end; said front end being susceptible to upward movement due to wave action and the relative movement of air when the watercraft is moving forward; said hull further including a front portion; said front portion including said front end and the portion between said front end and said central portion; said hull including an upper portion which is located above the water line of said hull; at least on stabilizer; said stabilizer extending from said front portion and said upper portion, whereby air moving over said stabilizer produces a downward force, wherein the likelihood of extreme upward movement of said front end is reduced.
 2. A motorized watercraft as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one stabilizer includes first and second stabilizers; said hull having a right side and a left side; said first stabilizer extending from said right side and said second stabilizer extending from said left side.
 3. A motorized watercraft as set forth in claim 2, wherein said stabilizers are rotatable to adjust the amount of downward force on the front portion of said hull.
 4. A motorized watercraft as set forth in claim 3, further including a rotatable rod; a pair of holes in said hull adjacent to said stabilizers; said rod having first and second end portions; said rod extending through said hull; said first end portion of said rod connected to said first stabilizer; said second end portion of said rod connected to said second stabilizer; said rod enabling said stabilizers to rotate.
 5. A motorized watercraft as set forth in claim 4, wherein said hull includes a cavity; a motor located in said cavity; said motor connected to said rotatable rod for moving said rotatable rod and thus moving said stabilizers to a desired position.
 6. A motorized watercraft as set forth in claim 5, further including a connecting rod, said connecting rod connecting said motor to said rotatable rod.
 7. A motorized watercraft as set forth in claim 6, further including a radio receiver; said radio receiver responsive to a remote control transmitter; said radio receiver electrically connected to said motor for controlling said motor, whereby the position of said stabilizers may be controlled by said remote transmitter.
 8. A motorized watercraft as set forth in claim 2, wherein said stabilizers each have a tip extending upwardly therefrom.
 9. A motorized watercraft as set forth in claim 8, wherein said tips are approximately 90° with respect to the major surface of each of said stabilizers.
 10. A motorized watercraft as set forth in claim 2, wherein each stabilizer has a leading section and a trailing section; a bend located between said leading section and said trailing section forming an angle, wherein the trailing section extends upwardly from the leading section so that air flow over the stabilizer may be diverted upwardly.
 11. A motorized watercraft comprising: a hull; said hull having an upper portion; said upper portion located substantially above the water line of said hull; said upper portion having a front portion and a rear portion; said rear portion having a drive motor attached thereto; first and second stabilizer; said first and second stabilizers attached to said front portion, whereby said watercraft may be stabilized during operation.
 12. A motorized watercraft as set forth in claim 11, wherein said stabilizers are adjustable so that the angle of incidence with respect to the wind may be adjusted for varying conditions, thereby adjusting the downward pressure on the front portion of said hull.
 13. A motorized watercraft as set forth in claim 11, wherein each stabilizer has a leading section and a trailing section; a bend located between said leading section and said trailing section forming an angle, wherein the trailing section extends upwardly from the leading section so that air flow over the stabilizer may be diverted upwardly.
 14. A motorized watercraft comprising: a hull; said hull having a rear end, a front end and a central portion; said central portion located substantially halfway between said front end and said rear end; said front end being susceptible to upward movement due to wave action and the relative movement of air when the watercraft is moving forward; said hull further including a front portion; said front portion including said front end and the portion between said front end and said central portion; said hull including an upper portion which is located above the water line of said hull; first and second stabilizers; said first and second stabilizers extending from said front portion and said upper portion, whereby air moving over said stabilizer produces a downward force, wherein the likelihood of extreme upward movement of said front end is reduced; said hull having a right side and a left side; said first stabilizer extending from said right side and said second stabilizer extending from said left side; said stabilizers being rotatable to adjust the amount of downward force on the front portion of said hull; a rotatable rod; a pair of holes in said hull adjacent to said stabilizers; said rod having first and second end portions; said rod extending through said hull; said first end portion of said rod connected to said first stabilizer; said second end portion of said rod connected to said second stabilizer; said rod enabling said stabilizers to rotate; said hull includes a cavity; a motor located in said cavity; said motor connected to said rotatable rod for moving said rotatable rod and thus moving said stabilizers to a desired position; a connecting rod; said connecting rod connecting said motor to said rotatable rod; a radio receiver; said radio receiver responsive to a remote control transmitter; said radio receiver electrically connected to said motor for controlling said motor, whereby the position of said stabilizers may be controlled by said remote transmitter. 